TV-Series
Description
Kirihito is a complex character introduced in the second season of the anime, whose identity is defined by a supernatural possession. He is the human vessel for a powerful and malevolent yokai known as Akura-oh, also referred to as the Evil King. This infamous yokai has existed for at least six hundred years and, in a distant past, allied with the fox yokai Tomoe to wreak havoc upon the world.
The origin of Kirihito as a distinct being begins in the Netherworld, the realm of the dead. The original Kirihito Mori was a young human mountain climber who died in an avalanche. Upon arriving in the Netherworld, his spirit encountered the imprisoned Akura-oh. Kirihito made a request of the demon: to deliver an apology to his mother, as they had fought just before his death. Acting out of boredom and curiosity, Akura-oh agreed. He possessed the boy's body, which returned to life in a hospital, now serving as the demon's physical form in the human world.
Kirihito's personality is a conflicted fusion of his two natures. He retains the memories and life of the human boy, including his family, which creates a softening influence on the demon king within him. His time spent in a human body and his interactions with the kind-hearted land god Nanami Momozono begin to change him, drawing a parallel to Tomoe's own evolution from a wild fox spirit into a more protective and less savage familiar. Despite this, he still struggles with his demonic instincts and coldness. He is often shown as being distant, particularly toward his human mother, yet he is capable of making significant sacrifices to protect her.
Kirihito's primary motivation is to regain his original, powerful demon body. He ventures into the Netherworld, using a stone mirror as a gateway, in an attempt to reach where his true form is imprisoned. These efforts place him in direct conflict with the forces that wish to keep him sealed away. His journey is marked by internal strife, as he must constantly choose between his demonic goal of power and the newfound humanity that makes him care for others.
His central role in the story is to act as a catalyst for tension and development among the main characters. He serves as a direct connection to Tomoe's violent past, reminding the fox spirit of the destructive yokai he used to be. Kirihito is also positioned as a potential romantic rival, making advances toward Nanami, though she remains focused on Tomoe. This dynamic creates an intriguing love triangle and a source of irritation for Tomoe, while also providing Nanami with opportunities to assert her independence and compassion by rescuing and showing kindness to someone perceived as a villain.
Key relationships define his arc. His bond with Tomoe is rooted in their shared history of destruction, and the demon king within Kirihito retains a clear attachment to his former partner. With Nanami, his relationship is transformative; her oblivious optimism and her decision to rescue him from imprisonment in the Netherworld begin to break down his cynical exterior. He also has a complex tie to his human family, particularly his mother. Despite his cold demeanor toward her, he is forced to make a critical choice when his quest in the Netherworld threatens her life. He ultimately chooses to shatter the mirror that was his key to reaching his original body, effectively sacrificing his best chance at regaining his full power to save his human family from certain death. This act demonstrates his significant, though understated, emotional development.
Kirihito's notable abilities stem from his dual nature. As Akura-oh, he possesses immense yokai power and knowledge of the supernatural world, including how to navigate the Netherworld. In one instance, he demonstrates cunning and resourcefulness by taking a lock of Nanami's hair before venturing into the Netherworld, using it as a charm to allow his human body to survive and remain stable in that hostile environment. His primary limitation is the human body he inhabits, which is vulnerable to injury, forcing him to rely on supernatural means for protection and travel.
The origin of Kirihito as a distinct being begins in the Netherworld, the realm of the dead. The original Kirihito Mori was a young human mountain climber who died in an avalanche. Upon arriving in the Netherworld, his spirit encountered the imprisoned Akura-oh. Kirihito made a request of the demon: to deliver an apology to his mother, as they had fought just before his death. Acting out of boredom and curiosity, Akura-oh agreed. He possessed the boy's body, which returned to life in a hospital, now serving as the demon's physical form in the human world.
Kirihito's personality is a conflicted fusion of his two natures. He retains the memories and life of the human boy, including his family, which creates a softening influence on the demon king within him. His time spent in a human body and his interactions with the kind-hearted land god Nanami Momozono begin to change him, drawing a parallel to Tomoe's own evolution from a wild fox spirit into a more protective and less savage familiar. Despite this, he still struggles with his demonic instincts and coldness. He is often shown as being distant, particularly toward his human mother, yet he is capable of making significant sacrifices to protect her.
Kirihito's primary motivation is to regain his original, powerful demon body. He ventures into the Netherworld, using a stone mirror as a gateway, in an attempt to reach where his true form is imprisoned. These efforts place him in direct conflict with the forces that wish to keep him sealed away. His journey is marked by internal strife, as he must constantly choose between his demonic goal of power and the newfound humanity that makes him care for others.
His central role in the story is to act as a catalyst for tension and development among the main characters. He serves as a direct connection to Tomoe's violent past, reminding the fox spirit of the destructive yokai he used to be. Kirihito is also positioned as a potential romantic rival, making advances toward Nanami, though she remains focused on Tomoe. This dynamic creates an intriguing love triangle and a source of irritation for Tomoe, while also providing Nanami with opportunities to assert her independence and compassion by rescuing and showing kindness to someone perceived as a villain.
Key relationships define his arc. His bond with Tomoe is rooted in their shared history of destruction, and the demon king within Kirihito retains a clear attachment to his former partner. With Nanami, his relationship is transformative; her oblivious optimism and her decision to rescue him from imprisonment in the Netherworld begin to break down his cynical exterior. He also has a complex tie to his human family, particularly his mother. Despite his cold demeanor toward her, he is forced to make a critical choice when his quest in the Netherworld threatens her life. He ultimately chooses to shatter the mirror that was his key to reaching his original body, effectively sacrificing his best chance at regaining his full power to save his human family from certain death. This act demonstrates his significant, though understated, emotional development.
Kirihito's notable abilities stem from his dual nature. As Akura-oh, he possesses immense yokai power and knowledge of the supernatural world, including how to navigate the Netherworld. In one instance, he demonstrates cunning and resourcefulness by taking a lock of Nanami's hair before venturing into the Netherworld, using it as a charm to allow his human body to survive and remain stable in that hostile environment. His primary limitation is the human body he inhabits, which is vulnerable to injury, forcing him to rely on supernatural means for protection and travel.